Many studies have found EMDR to be as good as or better than cognitive behavioural therapy for traumatic disorders – single traumas, multiple traumas, trauma resulting from natural disaster, treatment of war- and terrorism-related trauma, and mass casualties.

EMDR therapy has a positive effect on the whole range of PTSD symptoms, such as intrusions (e.g. nightmares and flashbacks), hyperarousal, avoidance and associated mood changes such as depression.

There are many sources of information about the research evidence for EMDR. The Trauma Recovery EMDR HAP (US) website has a very thorough listing of the research findings.

Growing body of research on EMDR with Traumatised Communities

Psychiatria Danubina

PTSD Following Childbirth, Can it be Prevented and Can it be treated? A Case Report

Around 15-20% of women who had childbirth experience childbirth as traumatic per DSM-IV criteria. No wonder there have been increasing recognition of the importance of mother’s PTSD following child birth. The prevalence of PTSD in women following childbirth has been estimated to happen in between 1.5 and 5.6% of these births. Women may perceive their labour as traumatic because of many reasons. One of these is the mode of birth, as clearly first and more prolonged labour is more likely to be perceived as more traumatic. Also, medical and nursing interventions during labour or birth can also be of immense importance. And lastly, women’s perceived manner of treatment by healthcare professions during and after childbirth.

The Case
This is a 30 Years Old married housewife who lives with her husband and daughter in the small city of Chelmsford in the borough of Essex, North East of London.

A Case report just published in Journal of Neurology and Stroke where EMDR used as part of treatment of a client who survived MI and Depression with suicidal attempts.

From abstract:

A number of studies have demonstrated a relationship between depression and low perceived social support and increased cardiac morbidity and mortality in patients with coronary heart disease. Depression increases the length of hospitalization, diagnostic procedures and the medical care cost.

Objectives: To describe the acculturation and repatriation problems and school behavior problems reported from teachers who were amidst Bosnia-Herzegovina (BH) repatriated school adolescents who were refugees after the 1992-1995 war, and to analyze possible differences between primary and secondary school students.

INTRODUCTION: After war 1992–1995 in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) the whole population was highly psych-traumatized. Mental health therapists had not enough capacities to meet needs of population. They are permanently in need to increase their psychotherapy capacities. EMDR is a powerful, state-of-the-art treatment. Its effectiveness and efficacy has been validated by extensive research. National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommended it as one of two trauma treatments of choice.

METHOD: Authors described the educational process considering the history of idea and its realization through training levels and process of supervision.

RESULTS: Highly skilled and internationally approved trainers from HAP UK & Ireland [now trauma Aid UK] came four times to Psychiatry Department of University Clinical Center Tuzla in BH where they provided completed EMDR training for 24 trainees: neuro-psychiatrists, residents of neuro-psychiatry and psychologists from eight different health institutions from six different cities in BH. After finishing training process, trainees are obliged to practice their EMDR therapy in daily practice with real clients under the supervision process of HAP UK & Ireland [now Trauma Aid UK] trainers to become certified EMDR therapists. Regarding big physical distance between supervisors and trainees, supervision will be realized via Skype Internet technology

ABSTRACT: The primary objective of this article will focus predominantly upon EMDR as an evidence-based treatment intervention for psychological trauma. It outlines in particular an EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Training Programme that took place in Abbotabad and Rawalpindi in response to the Pakistan earthquake, 2005, in helping to train teams of mental health workers in EMDR so as to enable them to treat psychological trauma symptoms of earthquake survivors. Results from two preliminary studies will be presented outlining the effectiveness of EMDR with two psychological trauma populations in Pakistan. This article also discusses the rationale for widening the trainings to different parts of Pakistan to include other significant traumas currently affecting some parts of the Pakistani population.

ABSTRACT: After the earthquake in January 2001 in India, 40 trained EMDR Therapists participated in helping more than 1600 people. The symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) were observed both in children and adults; no gross disintegration of personality was noted. Through analyzing children’s drawings, the study finds the relationship between individual emotions and traumatic impact on their psychological health. Although people who had suffered greater destruction and severe loss demonstrated greater emotional upheaval, people in the large residential areas mostly intact from the earthquake felt more insecure than those in severely destructed areas, due to the threat of further destruction.

Development of EMDR in Bosnia and Herzegovina-from an Idea to the First EMDR Conference. M Hasanović, S Morgan, S Oakley, S Richman… – Psychiatria Danubina, 2018

ABSTRACT:

The needs for EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) treatment of Bosnia-Herzegovina (BH) citizens, affected by 1992-1995 war, increased. The Trauma Aid UK (former Humanitarian Assistance Programs UK & Ireland) works in partnership with mental health professionals in BH.We aim to build an environment in which qualified and experienced professionals trained in EMDR may establish and sustain complete EMDR education and to keep international standards of EMDR practice.Authors described the history of idea and its realization of EMDR education considering all needed phases that were provided from the Trauma Aid UK with non profit, humanitarian approach in sharing skills of EMDR to mental health therapists in BH.The trainers from Trauma Aid UK completed five EMDR trainings in Bosnia-Herzegovina for recruited trainees from different cities and entities in BH. For continual professional development (CPD) all of these mental health professionals need to be active participants in professional and scientific meetings. Though, Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina EMDR Therapists, member of EMDR Europe, organized the First EMDR conference in Bosnia-Herzegovina sponsored by Trauma Aid UK under the patronage of EMDR Association of UK & Ireland.Five training of Bosnia-Herzegovina mental health workers to effectively use EMDR with enthusiastic help of EMDR trainers from Trauma Aid UK resulted with European accredited EMDR practitioners, one European accredited EMDR consultant and the first EMDR conference in BH. This will keep national development of psychotherapy capacities in post-war BH.